Chignon (what does it mean? )
A chignon is kind of like a bun, but not exactly. It’s a knot of hair arranged on the back of a woman’s head, but instead of being piled on top, it sits at the back of the head, and specifically at the nape of the neck. This low up-do is a chic way to class up your everyday bun. You can wear it to a dinner, a formal dance, or a wedding.
How to do a chignon hairstyle
This knot can be done in many variations and can be worn at the side for an even more elegant look.
A basic chignon bun be accomplished in just a few steps, but you need two large bobby pins, four small ones, and a tail comb,
- Use the comb to part your hair down the middle, smoothing it behind the ears and gathering it at the nape of the neck.
- Now, gently twist your hair from the nape of your neck to the ends, starting to coil it counter clockwise.
- Keep twisting your hair into a bun shape with this circular motion, using your index finger to hold the shape in place.
- Place a large bobby pin on each side of the bun to secure it, carefully pulling and loosening edges to get your desired shape. Afterwards, secure this shape all around the bun using the smaller bobby pins.
- Use your tail comb to shape and volumize by slipping the end of the comb through the hair and pulling outward very lightly.
- Finish with a sheer finishing spray to set the whole style
Here are some other popular and stylish chignon buns that you can accomplish with ease thanks to our step by step guidance.
1. Sleek knot chignon
This look is dramatic, tight, and features a low side part. Apply conditioner to dry hair instead of gel, which can get crunchy. Create a side part that lines up with the middle of your eye. Then, smooth the sides and father your hair into a low ponytail with the help of a brush. Finish it with an elastic band, leaving out a 1/4 inch section of hair. Twist the main piece into a figure 8 shape and bobby pin to secure, finally wrapping the loose piece around the base of your ponytail.
2. Side swept chignon
This wavy look just needs a curling iron to give it that fresh, Hollywood look. Leaving bangs out, gather hair into a side pony. Hold a curling iron vertically to add some curl to the ponytail. Then, soften curls with a brush and lightly tease hair to slightly add volume. Now create a loose bun and twist it around your hair elastic, securing the ends with pins. As your last step, hold your curling iron at a 45 degree angle, wrapping bangs around to create a spiral. User fingers to loosen them into waves.
3. Vintage chignon
This kook has volume at the crown and a chignon that is tucked under, giving it an old school look. The key is a high quality brush and bobby pins. First, father the top section of your hair (from your hairline to the crown) and tease it with a boar bristle brush. Then, smooth the top layer with the brush and pull hair into a ponytail so it lines up at eye level. Now, gather the rest of your hair into a second ponytail underneath the first, finally combining the two and teasing the layer beneath. Roll the ponytail onto the nape of your neck, criss crossing bobby pins to secure and setting with hairspray to maintain volume.
4. Textured chignon
This look combines a sleek front and side appearance with an elegantly textured bun. Pull hair into a ponytail at the crown of the head, spraying the sides and front with hairspray to create a sleek finish. Then, add texture by spraying your ponytail with dry shampoo. Twist it into a bun and bobby pin to secure. Then, finish off with one more dry shampoo spray, using fingers to create a more piece-y look to your desire.
5. Braided chignon
Step one is to section off your bang area from ear to ear, clipping it out of the way. Now, gather the rest of your hair into a loose and low pony. Now unclip that front section and create a center part. After this, twist hair on each side of the part and gather it into a single pony tail that sits on top of the first ponytail. Combine the hair from both ponytails to create a couple of braids, eventually twisting the braids into one bun. Pin to secure and widen braids with fingers, finally pinning them together to avoid gaps. Then, pull out some tendrils and voila.
6. Rumpled wave chignon
First, spray damp hair with a sea-salt or wave spray. Then twist random section into knots, securing each one with a metal duckbill clip. Now blow-dry your hair and unravel them after a few minutes. Once you have your waves, section off the bang area and other the rest into a loose bun entered at the back of your head. Secure with bobby pins. Now, tease the bang section at the root, using fingers to add them seamlessly into the rest of your hair.
7. Dutch braid chignon
This is a messy chignon that’s jazzed up with a thick braid. Do a traditional chignon bun, leaving a section out to make a thick Dutch braid. Wrap it around the side of your head, feeding it into the bun or wrapping around the base. Pull at the braid and loosen your bun until you get to the level of messiness that you want.
8. Bow bun chignon
Spritz dry hair with spray gel or another form of hold to maintain shape. Then, part your hair at the center, twist hair back into a loose, low bun, securing with bobby pins. Finish it off with a bow on top – sophisticated or playful, it’s your choice! This is the easiest look on our round up because we don’t always have morning time to dedicate to the ultimate chignon.
9. Swifty swirl
Named after Taylor Swift’s look form the 2012 AMAs, this look can be completed in a few steps. Separate hair into a top and bottom section, pinning the top part up and brushing the bottom back into a tight ponytail. Take the top section of hair and spritz roots with hairspray, then teasing it down towards the scalp to create more volume at the crown. Next, brush back the top section so it falls just over the ponytail. Roll all the hair up and under to create the swirl silhouette, and pin in place. Complete with hairspray.
10. Faux chignon
Apply mousse to damp hair, air dry, and go to bed. In the morning, put on a thin elastic headband. Twist strands over the back of the band, tucking in place. The perfect, no-pins look that feigns a chignon with some simple rolling action!